Spring Into Action – Discover Your Fitness Age!
BY DORTE BLADT
There’s something about spring that makes everything feel fresh and full of possibility. The days are getting longer, the mornings brighter and there’s a lovely sense of renewal in the air. After a winter of hibernation, it’s the perfect time to stretch, move and get our bodies — and brains — back into gear. As chiropractors, we often talk about health beyond the absence of pain. True health is about vitality — being able to do the things you love with ease and confidence. And one of the best ways to measure how well your body is functioning is through your fitness age.
What Is “Fitness Age”?
Your fitness age isn’t about the candles on your birthday cake — it’s about how old your body acts. Scientists have found that your cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and balance give a far better picture of your true biological age than your date of birth does.
The Fitness Age Standard Test helps assess how well your heart, lungs and muscles are working together. It considers your activity level, resting heart rate, waist measurement and exercise habits. Essentially, it tells you whether your body is performing like that of someone younger — or older — than you are.
So, if you’re 55 but have the cardiovascular health and muscle tone of a 40-year-old, congratulations — your fitness age is 40! And the best part? With regular movement, good nutrition and supportive care, you can lower your fitness age over time.
This Month’s Challenge: The Sit-Rise Test
To celebrate spring and our renewed commitment to movement, we’re inviting everyone to take part in our monthly fitness challenge — the Sit-Rise Test.
This simple test measures strength, flexibility and balance — all crucial for staying mobile and independent as we age. Even more fascinating, research has shown thatthe Sit-Rise Test strongly correlates with life expectancy in adults over 51.
How to Do It:
1. Stand barefoot on a flat surface.
2. Without using your hands, arms or knees for support, sit down on the floor in a cross-legged (or comfortable) position.
3. Now, stand back up — again, without using your hands or arms for help.
Scoring the Test:
You start with a score of 10 points — five for sitting down and five for standing up.
Each time you use a hand, knee, or other support to steady yourself, subtract 1 point.
If you lose your balance or wobble significantly, subtract ½ point.
For example:
Sitting and rising smoothly without support = 10 points.
Using one hand to sit and one to rise = 8 points.
Scores below 8 are linked to higher risks of health or mobility challenges — but the exciting news is, improvement is absolutely possible!
The Goal: Progress, Not Perfection
Let’s be honest — this test is hard! Very few adults score a perfect 10 the first time. What matters isn’t your starting score but how much you can improve over the next few weeks.
Throughout the month, we’ll be posting short exercise videos on our social media to help you build:
Strength — especially in your legs and core
Balance — which keeps you steady and confident
Flexibility — to make sitting and rising easier and smoother
Try the test now, note your score, and check again at the end of the month. Even one point of improvement shows your body is getting stronger, more coordinated and more resilient.
Don’t Forget Your Spring Chiropractic Check-Up
As you get moving again, it’s the perfect time for a chiropractic check-up. Gentle adjustments help ensure your spine and nervous system are working at their best — improving body awareness, balance, flexibility and coordination. A well-aligned spine allows your brain and body to communicate clearly, helping every movement feel more fluid and efficient.
Whether you’re starting a new exercise routine, aiming to improve your Sit-Rise score or simply wanting to feel more energetic this season, regular chiropractic care supports your body’s natural ability to adapt and thrive.
Spring Into Movement
Spring is a time of renewal and growth — and your body deserves to feel as alive as the season around you. Whether you’re walking, gardening, playing with the kids or joining our Sit-Rise Challenge, every bit of movement helps your body function younger and keeps your spine happy.
So, let’s make this a month of momentum! Take the Sit-Rise Test, follow along on our socials, book your chiropractic check-up, and see how much stronger, more flexible, and more balanced you can become. Because the real goal isn’t just to live longer — it’s to live better.
Yours in Health,
Dorte and The Family Chiro Team
